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The front cover image represents the 3-D structure of a new polymer-derived nanographene bulk material that consists of a 3-D network of single-layer graphene nanoplatelets. The material is mechanically robust and combines a graphene-like surface area with an open macroporosity thus allowing one to dynamically control its macroscopic properties through ion-induced interfacial electric fields.

The front cover image represents the 3-D structure of a new polymer-derived nanographene bulk material that consists of a 3-D network of single-layer graphene nanoplatelets. The material is mechanically robust and combines a graphene-like surface area with an open macroporosity thus allowing one to dynamically control its macroscopic properties through ion-induced interfacial electric fields.

Abstract:
Lawrence Livermore researchers have developed a new bulk material whose physical properties can be dynamically changed by an external signal.

Changing the dynamics of bulk materials

Livermore, CA | Posted on October 9th, 2012

The scientists came up with a method to fabricate mass-producible graphene-based bulk materials from low-cost polymer-derived carbon foams by selectively removing carbon atoms from a network composed of both unstructured carbon and graphite nanoplatelets.

"The new technique is inexpensive, scalable, and yields mechanically robust, centimeter-sized monolithic samples that are composed almost entirely of interconnected networks of single-layer graphene nanoplatelets" said Ted Baumann of Lawrence Livermore who developed the synthetic approach.

These graphene bulk materials have an ultra-high surface area and may thus be used for energy storage systems such as super-capacitors where energy is stored by polarization of the graphene electrode/electrolyte interface.

Graphene bulk material also could be used as an electrically conductive network to support the active material in battery applications. Desalination using capacitive desalination is another emerging field.

The advantage of using bulk materials versus composite materials (made from porous carbon particles and a binder) is their superior stability, which allows for longer lifetimes, higher conductivity (less losses during charging and discharging), and the ability to tune the pore structure.

"This is a potentially game changing concept in materials science," said Juergen Biener, lead LLNL author of the cover article in the Sept. 24 issue of the journal, Advanced Materials. "Just imagine what you could do with a bulk material with properties you can change dynamically by an external variable. For example, you could switch a bulk material dynamically between a conductive and an insulating state."

The specific surface area of this 3-dimensional nanographene bulk material is comparable to that of a free-standing graphene layer, but it has an open porosity that allows rapid mass transport through the material.

Most graphene based bulk materials are made by self-assembly of graphene oxide, which is still very expensive and costs up to several hundred dolloars per gram. At this price, it is not economical to use graphene based bulk materials for energy storage even though they have excellent properties for this application. Biener said. By contrast, the Livermore technique of making graphene based bulk materials is inherently inexpensive (only a few dollars per kilogram), scalable, and yields mechanically robust, centimeter-sized monolithic samples. "That is a major breakthrough toward applications," Biener said.

The group has tested the new technique by making large pieces of the material, and tested actuator and the tunable resistor applications.

Other Livermore researchers include Marcus Worsely, Arne Wittstock, Jonathan Lee, Monika Biener, Christine Orme, Sergei Kucheyev, Brandon Wood, Trevor Willey and Alex Hamza.

Other institutions include the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Technische Universität Darmstadt, and Technische Universitat Hamburg-Harburg.

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About Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
Founded in 1952, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory provides solutions to our nation's most important national security challenges through innovative science, engineering and technology. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory is managed by Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC for the U.S. Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration.

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Anne M Stark
LLNL
(925) 422-9799

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